Windward’s $270M Exit: Market Choice & Content Strategy Lessons

 

In this session, we’ll hear from the founder of Windward, a pioneering maritime AI company that uses satellite technology to bring visibility to ocean shipping. From his background as a naval officer to co-founding Windward and achieving a $270M exit, he’ll share key lessons learned throughout his entrepreneurial journey, offering valuable insights into the challenges and strategies that shaped his success.

He’ll discuss how market choice is one of the most important decisions a founder can make, often more impactful than assembling the perfect team. He’ll explain how surrounding yourself with positive, motivated people is essential for company growth, while negativity can hold back progress.

As a hands-on leader with a “fighting to win” mentality, he combines strategic vision with meticulous attention to detail, from reading sales reports daily to speaking directly with engineers and customers. Founder-led marketing was crucial to Windward’s growth, with Ami personally engaging with stakeholders and driving a content strategy that resulted in 13 billion unique views and regular media coverage in outlets like the NYT and WSJ.

 

Opening Remarks @ 9:30am PT

Join us for opening remarks with Dina Wagner, Head of Member Success at Founders Network, to get the latest updates from the Network and opportunities for getting involved.

 

Keynote Speaker @ 9:40am PT

Ami Daniel is co-founder and CEO of Windward. In this capacity he has been featured extensively as an expert in shipping and AI at multiple conferences, events, op-eds and interviews including by The Economist, FT, WSJ, Bloomberg and many others. He was recognised as one of the 40 most promising entrepreneurs in Israel twice by Israel’s leading economical newspapers – Globes and The Marker. Under his leadership Windward has been awarded multiple awards including as a finalist in the Boldness in Business Awards by the FT, Red Herring, The Hottest Startup in Israel by Wired and many others. Ami serves on the advisory board of “My Wave” NGO which empowers traumatized or misprinted youth by teaching them to surf.

Before founding Windward, Ami has been one of Israel’s most impactful youth social entrepreneurs, founding a community centre in Haifa when he was 16, as well as another national scale social empowerment program. For these he was given multiple awards including the President’s Award and the Ramon Award (both the most distinguished for youth in Israel).

Ami served as a naval officer (Lieutenant) in the Israeli Navy and he holds an LLB from Tel Aviv University.

 

Stage-Based Roundtables @ 10:30am PT

 

Complimentary Ticket:

Are you a full-time tech founder? Be our guest! We’re making our events available to tech founders everywhere. Enjoy a complimentary ticket to come learn from fellow tech founders, partners and investors. Already used your complimentary guest pass? Request an invite to see if you qualify for membership.

 

About Founders Network:

Founded in 2011, Founders Network offers lifelong peer mentorship to over 600 tech startup founders globally. Our platform, programs and high-touch service facilitate authentic experience sharing, warm introductions and long-term professional relationships. Additional benefits include over $500k in startup discounts and promotion to 2,000 newsletter readers. Members are located in San Francisco, New York City, Los Angeles, Vancouver, Toronto, London and other tech hubs. Each month our Membership Committee admits a new cohort of full-time tech founders who are nominated by an existing member. Learn more about us here.

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